Teh Spotted Thread

[Jobbo]

There's no way a City X would have had that rear spoiler which was a GTA/MG fitment. Not sure about the chrome door handles either, or the wheeltrims. Good to see it sticks with the original lack of headrests inside though.

ETA: this one is a 3dr but I think it is more original - and does have headrests. Wonders will never cease.



Found the auction - that one has colour coded bumpers which aren't original but otherwise is, apparently: https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/1989- ... 1-nec-1122

Oh FFS, I've even found a 1989 brochure. I'm going to end up looking at adverts for them on Car and Classic next aren't I...

[Rich B]

yep, i knew it would be of interest to some of you weirdos!

[IanF]

My first car was an immaculate, white Austin Metro Mayfair that we purchased from some old dear who had owned it from new and never carried anyone else in it! Sadly I rolled it down some country lane about 18 months into ownership and it never really recovered.

[integrale_evo]

City was usually very basic, but it’s also very late for an A-series car so maybe they threw a load of extras on. It already has luxuries such as the rear wiper, plastic bumpers and wide rub strips.

Rear spoiler was relatively common on non-sporty ones as it reduced drag significantly.

I wasn’t ever a fan of the A-series cars, my mums k-reg 1.1 was a million times better than her e-reg. the series engine and Peugeot gearbox totally transformed them.

However, with time I’m starting to appreciate the older cars more. Would absolutely have to be a 3 door though.

[Matty]

My childhood was basically Metro's all the way down

Mom had one, BIL had a black Metro GTi, sister had a 114 GTA and I passed my test in a lovely green Rover 100....might have been a "Rio"

Edit...it was a Kensington! Not a Rio.

[Jobbo]

City was usually very basic, but it’s also very late for an A-series car so maybe they threw a load of extras on. It already has luxuries such as the rear wiper, plastic bumpers and wide rub strips.

Rear spoiler was relatively common on non-sporty ones as it reduced drag significantly.

Have a look at the 1989 brochure photo above - the spoiler definitely wasn't on it when new and nor were the chrome door handles.

[John]

My second car was a Metro HLS on a W plate so one of the very first. I quite liked it at the time as it was fairly "modern" compared to a lot of stuff.

[240PP]

A schoolmate’s Dad worked for Rover in the mid 90s. He had a decent spec 600 and his Mum had a Metro GTA. I remember thinking it looked pretty cool, I still like it now.

[mik]

My mate drove around in his mum's basic Metro whilst he was at uni. One of the rear wheels had some visible positive camber, and it handled like a dog : they apparently had it checked by the garage multiple times and were reassured it was fine. I didn't find much to like in it/them (although I did look at and test-drive a GTi once).

[DeskJockey]

Spotted on the D139 in France a C7 Audi S6 taxi, with the little light on top and everything. Not sure how the financials stack up, but definitely more exciting than a hybrid Corolla or the like.

[jamcg]

In years to come am I going to be as excited to see a plastic bumpered 1.3l ford ka as you guys are with metros?

[integrale_evo]

I appreciate seeing pretty much anything over 30years old that’s in good condition and still being used, even if I thought they were utter crap at the time and wouldn’t ever want to own one.

So yes, I probably would give a really clean tidy non rusty early Ford Ka a second glance, or a mk1 mondeo with completely intact non gaffer taped bumpers etc.

[Carlos]

Been a long time I've seen one without a rotten fuel filler neck

[jamcg]

Been a long time I've seen one without a rotten fuel filler neck

Mine was doing that at 4 year old

[Rich B]

mk1 mondeo with completely intact non gaffer taped bumpers etc.

I used to have a jokey exchange with my brother where we’d send photos of mondeo gaffer taped bumpers whenever we spotted one - bonus points were given for colour matched tape. this was 15 years ago, so i can’t believe there’s a single in tact one left!

[JonMad]

I appreciate seeing pretty much anything over 30years old that’s in good condition and still being used, even if I thought they were utter crap at the time and wouldn’t ever want to own one.

So yes, I probably would give a really clean tidy non rusty early Ford Ka a second glance, or a mk1 mondeo with completely intact non gaffer taped bumpers etc.

Going back a bit older, always nice to see a nice, tidy old Ford Fiesta, Cortina, Escort etc. out in the wild.
I feel like I should attend Festival of the Unexceptional at some point, having said that.

[DeskJockey]

France is great for spotting unexceptional old stuff still going. Today's highlight was a 205 GRD driven by an ancient looking gent, and with dog in the back. It looked well used (the car, not the dog).

[IanF]

IMG_2365.jpeg (211.28 KiB) Viewed 7 times

Looked very well maintained